"Using Xiao Ba's blade to sever Lao Er's marital ties." Xiao Huayong had unknowingly stepped beside Shen Xihe, taking the umbrella from Biyu's hand and holding it above Shen Xihe.
Noticing the oil-paper umbrella in her peripheral vision, Shen Xihe couldn't help but look up. Finding most of the umbrella tilted toward her, she pursed her lips, grasped his hand, and gradually straightened it: "Don't think that just because Prince Jing has left, you're no longer the frail Crown Prince."
Xiao Huayong fittingly coughed lightly twice, his voice weakening slightly: "The world knows the Crown Prince is frail, but not that he cherishes his wife as his own life. Therefore, I ought to show it more often."
Shen Xihe let out a soft sigh through her nose, glanced at him, and stepped forward: "If we delay rescuing Prince Yan any longer, Prince Jing will realize keeping him imprisoned serves no purpose. During this time, I've kept him too busy to handle this matter."
"Now that he's suddenly brought it up, he'll have to release Prince Yan. But how to do it is the tricky part."
"Prince Yan is a living person who knows exactly how long he's been imprisoned. Though he 'doesn't know' who imprisoned him, he'll naturally inform us about it. This will expose Prince Jing's earlier lie to us about Prince Yan being in Rongcheng County."
"If his brother goes missing, Prince Jing conceals it and even lies to cover up, it undoubtedly points to him as the one who imprisoned Prince Yan—a grave crime."
"He has only one option: release Xiao Shi'er and make him corroborate the lie." Xiao Huayong finished Shen Xihe's thought.
Her obsidian eyes sparkled like starlight, shifting as if glimmering with moisture, her gaze amused: "To show sincerity, Prince Jing must personally explain things to Prince Yan. But the act needs to be convincing—best if Prince Jing himself 'rescues' Prince Yan."
"This way, Prince Jing can explain to Prince Yan that he didn't want to alert the enemy and, confirming Prince Yan was temporarily safe, chose not to inform us. Given the severe disaster situation, he didn't wish to burden us. How could Prince Yan not be understanding and pretend he was never imprisoned?"
Xiao Huayong took small steps, following closely behind her, his gaze never leaving her for a moment. She seemed to possess a magic that constantly drew his eyes, making him reluctant to miss even a second of looking at her.
The slanting wind and rain inevitably dampened their shoes, leaving two sets of footprints—one large, one small—along the covered corridor, gradually fading into the distance.
Xiao Changyan was going to "rescue" Xiao Changgeng. Shen Xihe sent people to follow and create chaos. With Xiao Changgeng's cooperation, it would be impossible for Xiao Changyan to deceive everyone.
Thinking of this, Shen Xihe's smile deepened: "Doesn't Prince Jing want to know if Prince Yan is truly loyal to him? I'll help him find out."
Xiao Huayong kept one hand behind his back while holding the oil-paper umbrella with the other. The damp chill in the wind filled his nostrils, refreshing his spirits.
Now, two different scenes unfold separately.
Xiao Changyan set out at dawn and reached Rongcheng County by afternoon. Everyone there was under his command. After inventorying the delivered supplies and storing them in the county office warehouse, he issued notices for distribution before heading out late at night to "rescue" Xiao Changgeng.
Initially, everything went according to plan. He fought alone, "bathed in blood," up the mountain, found Xiao Changgeng, and was pursued by the alerted bandits alongside him.Having fled to the mountainside, both were utterly exhausted. Xiao Changgeng, who had been drugged for some time, had no strength left and could only rely entirely on Xiao Changyan.
"Eighth Brother, go ahead first and find someone to rescue me," Xiao Changgeng gasped, leaning against a damp rock.
A fine drizzle fell, and the moonless night sky was exceptionally dark, making it impossible to see Xiao Changyan's expression clearly. "We've already alerted the enemy. If you're captured again, you'll surely lose your life."
"It's dark and the path is slippery now. I'll hide carefully and hold on until you return with help," Xiao Changgeng continued to persuade.
"We go together or not at all," Xiao Changyan declared, pulling Xiao Changgeng up and letting him lean heavily on him. Braving the fine rain, they continued their descent.
However, they had not gone far when they were surrounded. Xiao Changyan shielded Xiao Changgeng behind him, his movements agile, swift, and fierce. Whenever an opening appeared, he struck with deadly precision, felling their pursuers one by one. The scent of blood gradually permeated the damp air. Just as Xiao Changyan took down the last assailant and before either could catch their breath, a black-clad, masked figure charged at them with a blade. Xiao Changyan raised his sword to block it, his gaze darkening.
Such formidable strength, such relentless attacks, such ruthless sword techniques—this was no ordinary foe!
The assailant's target was clear: both him and Xiao Changgeng. Seizing any opening, the attacker aimed only to kill.
Under normal circumstances, Xiao Changyan would not have regarded such an opponent as a threat. But now, with Xiao Changgeng weakened and the enemy clearly intent on eliminating him too, Xiao Changyan found himself constrained. Gradually, he lost the upper hand, suffering shallow cuts on his arm, chest, and even his leg.
At that moment, an arrow shot out from the shadows. Masked by the rain and darkness, neither Xiao Changyan nor Xiao Changgeng noticed it in time. By the time they saw it, it was too late to evade.
With a final burst of strength, Xiao Changgeng shoved Xiao Changgeng aside. The arrow embedded itself in his shoulder blade, and he collapsed onto Xiao Changyan. Together, they tumbled down the slope.
The black-clad pursuer gave up halfway, retreating upon realizing reinforcements had arrived.
Xiao Changyan's men, having waited in vain for his return and fearing the worst, had come to meet them, ultimately saving both their lives.
"Your Highness, a grave matter—the arrow that struck Prince Yan is poisoned," the county magistrate reported, his face pale as he brought the doctor forward. "This poison... the doctor cannot treat it..."
Xiao Changgeng was injured and poisoned severely. To save his life, they had to seek medical help. The doctor before them was the most knowledgeable in the county. If he could not help, then the only option was...
Whether they sought the imperial physician accompanying the Crown Prince or the physician serving the Crown Princess, Xiao Changgeng's condition would inevitably be exposed.
Xiao Changyan closed his eyes, recalling how Xiao Changgeng had pushed him aside when the arrow flew. Had it not been for that, he would be the one lying there now, hovering between life and death. "Send a rider at full speed to request a physician from the Crown Prince!"
"Your Highness—" an advisor exclaimed, his face paling in alarm.
"Go!" Xiao Changyan commanded, leaving no room for argument.
"Your Highness, seeking medical aid from the Crown Prince will surely expose us," the advisor urgently protested.Xiao Changyan appeared exceptionally stern: "Who said the matter would be exposed? Wasn't it someone scheming against me and the Twelfth Prince? The Twelfth Prince was kidnapped by this very person. I merely concealed the report to avoid causing panic among the people during the rampant disaster. If there is guilt, as long as the Twelfth Prince can be rescued, it is not a grave offense. We must dig out the one who plotted against us, even if we have to search every inch of the earth!"
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